Region's labour council pens open letter amid Wilmot Township farmland controversy

The Waterloo Regional Labour Council is weighing in on a controversial plan to buy up farmland in Wilmot Township.

The group sent an open letter to regional chair Karen Redman on Tuesday that shows the council's support for the affected farmers.

This comes after farmers near the intersection of Nafziger and Bleams roads in New Hamburg were approached by a private company on behalf of the Region of Waterloo. 

The region plans to purchase over 283 hectares (700 acres) of land in the area of an undisclosed industrial project. 

Jeff Donkersgoed, first vice-president of the Waterloo Regional Labour Council, wrote the letter and said he felt a personal tie to the issue because he grew up on a farm.

"Politicians are still people and I always want to keep the conversation and dialogue open. But, in this particular case, it just feels like that conversation piece has just been completely lacking," Donkersgoed told CBC News. 

He said that while being respectful, it was important to be strict with the message he was trying to get across. 

"It's all about community. We are often as unions concerned about our own self-interest but that isn't the right way to go about things. We have to be be concerned about one another and we have to help each other out when those times are needed."

As of Wednesday afternoon, Donkersgoed had not heard back from Redman about the letter. 

Redman reacts

Despite not addressing the letter specifically, Redman put out her first statement on the controversial land banking. 

In an email to CBC News, Redman's statement reads in part: "Waterloo region has a long history of innovation and collaboration. Together, we have balanced the protection of our natural environment with facilitating economic opportunities to support a high quality life for residents."

The letter doesn't share any additional details about the project, but says the area is "excellently suited for future development and investment given the proximity to arterial transportation and existing infrastructure, and the connection to Waterloo region's skilled workforce."

"Extensive due diligence is done when evaluating shovel-ready sites, and that work will continue with all partners throughout this process," she said in the statement.

"This work is about securing generational investments and creating good jobs to carry us into the future. Extensive provisions are in place to ensure we grow with care and consider all factors when moving forward."

While Donkersgoed said he can understand the growth this project may bring to the region, he can't support the method with how it's being done. 

"I totally get that we want industry to come to Waterloo region, good sustainable jobs. It's something as a labour council we definitely want," he said. " But I just question the methodology and the process with all of this and the uprooting. People's livelihood are at stake in this."

Uniting community

The local labour union isn't the only organization weighing in on the situation in Wilmot Township.

CBC News received a release from Hold the Line Waterloo Region that states its solidarity with the Wilmot farmers. 

The non-profit organization uses its platform to celebrate the region's countryside line.

Pfenning's Organic Vegetables Inc. located in Wilmot Townhip also sent a release to CBC News.

"More than 700 acres of precious farmland in New Hamburg — less than two kilometres from Pfenning's Organic Vegetables Inc's base of operations — is being acquired and rezoned for industrial use," it reads in part. "Development on this scale does not stop with one block of land. Once these farms are lost to industry, others will follow."

A petition was created on March 17 for community members to show their support for the farmers. Since then, the petition has accumulated over 21,000 signatures. 

Ontario Legislature petition 

Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife has been very vocal about the farmland situation and tabled a petition of her own in the Ontario Legislature. 

"We don't know why the region is seeking such a large parcel of land, but we do know that it's connected to the Get it Done Act, which is the latest piece of legislation this PC government has brought in," Fife told CBC News. 

"So it's really concerning for me as an MPP both on an environmental perspective but a due process and I feel like we're witnessing in real time here in Waterloo region — the Greenbelt 2.0"